Bark siding FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How durable is poplar bark siding?Poplar Bark Siding is extremely rugged, weather resistant, and durable. Decades old houses exist that still have the original bark siding intact. Also, consider this fact: bark is a non-living, protective covering for trees (analogous to the human fingernail); its weather surface lasts the entire lifetime of the tree.

Does bark siding arrive and stay free of insects?Yes. Parton Lumber Bark is insect-free because our kiln drying process assures complete removal of insects and their eggs. Quoting the standardized Drying Hardwood Lumber manual: "Insects and their eggs are killed when the wood is heated above 130 degrees Fahrenheit, especially at high humidity" (Drying Hardwood Lumber: 111). In addition, bark siding does not attract carpenter bees or termites.

How long does it last?Parton Lumber Bark Siding lasts 50+ years, making it an extremely economical choice over the long run. Bark siding needs no painting or weather proofing, required by other types of house sidings.

How is it installed?Generally, bark siding is applied over house-wrap and roofing underlayer. Consult your local contractor for specifics, or see our installation page for tips.

Does poplar bark need a sealant applied?No. Bark siding needs no sealants. Bark is naturally weather resistant and holds up against the extreme elements.Is installed bark siding water resistant?Yes. When properly installed, bark siding along with housewrap and roofing underlayer creates a moisture barrier. Just like commonly applied shingle siding made with other materials, installed bark siding protects from water damage in the same manner.How long has bark siding been around?Traditionally used on huts by the North American Indians, bark siding has been in use for at least 500 years or more. Modern use of bark siding has been utilized since the mid-late 1800s.Does bark cladding have any chemicals applied that may leach into the ground? No. Common to the bark siding industry, no chemicals, preservatives, or borax are added or needed for all natural bark cladding. Therefore, no additives are present to seep into the ground.How expensive is poplar bark siding?In the long run, Poplar Bark siding can save you money due to its maintenance free and highly resilient nature. Please request a quote through the quote/ordering page, or call us toll-free, 1-800-624-1501, for the latest pricing and discounts.

How much of an overlap is needed for poplar bark siding?Minimum overlap for bark siding is as follows: 13” bark siding needs at least a 2” overlap, 18” bark siding needs at least a 3” overlap, and 24” bark siding needs at least a 4” overlap. Some customers buy 24” bark and overlap it 12” so that they have “double” coverage. This is probably the most durable way of applying the bark siding.

How is poplar tree bark siding shipped?Usually our bark shingles are shipped on pallets via common freight carriers. We search all the major national freight companies to find you the lowest shipping price. Your freight quote for poplar bark siding will always reflect the lowest possible shipping cost we found.

How thick does poplar bark siding need to be?Parton Bark Siding sees that the minimum thickness for outdoor use is 5/8", and the maximum thickness stands for us at 1 3/8". The majority of our poplar bark shingles are around 3/4" to 1" thick. This range of thickness blends nicely when installed (see Home Porfolio page). Bark cladding under 9/16" should be used for indoor purposes only.

How much extra bark siding should I order to allow for the overlap?Multply your actual square footage by 1.2 to determine the amount of poplar bark shingles you will need to cover your area. For example, you want to cover a 500 sq/ft area: 500 x 1.2 = 600 sq/ft is actually needed of our premium poplar bark siding.